Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

drag event of the of event drag the was It Hilton. Washington the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

, emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black a.k.a. White, Ken Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou DC Gay

/CLUB 55 - Tou DC Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993.

Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

the Washington Hilton. It was was It Hilton. Washington the drag event of the of event drag the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

Ken White, a.k.a. a.k.a. White, Ken , emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou DC Gay

/CLUB 55 - Tou DC Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993.

Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

the Washington Hilton. It was was It Hilton. Washington the drag event of the of event drag the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

Ken White, a.k.a. a.k.a. White, Ken , emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou Gay

/CLUB 55 - DC Tou Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993.

Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

the Washington Hilton. It was was It Hilton. Washington the drag event of the of event drag the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

Ken White, a.k.a. a.k.a. White, Ken , emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou Gay

/CLUB 55 - DC Tou Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993. 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used 1. 1919 Connecticut Ave NW - WASHINGTON HILTON - In February 1968, Black Pearl’s some clubs featuring Latino sounds, country- International Awards show was the drag event of the top venues for drag and as western, pop music, hip-hop and rap. DC’s lead- year and broke the main hotels’ ban on drag events. an important training ing drag performers are a unique ethnic mix. ground and performance Genderversity has also 2. 1520 Connecticut Ave NW - space for up and coming come to drag. In 1996, as a RASCALS - From 1979 through 1992, female impersonators. The fundraising effort, Cheryl Rascals was one of Dupont’s premier club was also an important Spector suggested that the drag show bars. Under the leadership of intersection of Latin, Lesbian Avengers hold DC’s Sparkle Maharis, the club’s drag shows white, and African- and amateur hours drew a wide audi- American performance first drag king competition Sparkle, 1975 courtesy ence. Sparkle’s amateur shows marked circles. Show hostesses at the Hung Jury. The con- Carl Rizzi the beginning of a number of prominent Erica Kane and Xavier Ken Las Vegas test was won by Kendra Stevi on stage, drag careers. Bloomingdale introduced courtesy Patsy Lynch Kuliga, a.k.a. Drag King Xavier hosting courtesy Jan Knode a host of entertainers to Ken (later known as Ken Las Vegas). The Puss 3. 2122 P St NW - ESCANDALO/DECO CABANA - eager audiences four nights a week. The last N’Boots group was formed from the judges of Latino drag often suffered a shortage of venues. show hostess was Stevi Starfire. Among featured that contest; they staged drag king shows from Escandalo’s opening in February 1994 offered one of artists were Dominique Foxx, Capri 1997 to 1999. In October 1999, Chaos held its the first regular performance sites for Latino drag per- Bloomingdale, Gigi Couture, Gucci Goddamnit, first Drag King competition, produced by Drag formers. Shows drew enthusiastic crowds. Deco Esmeralda Kane Jaymes, and Teena Marie Cabana followed Escandalo in 1998 with shows hosted King Ken. The DC Drag Kings formed in March Cromwell. by Xavier Bloomingdale that showcased talented 2000 at the inauguration of Chaos’s monthly Latino drag performers. 7. 1607 17th St NW - Drag King Show. The drag king performance CLUB CHAOS - As one of DC’s scene continues to expand as more and more 4. 2122 P St NW rear - most diverse gay clubs, Chaos drag kings appear at the Academy and in the OMEGA - Omega emerged in 1999 has presented drag shows since clubs. as the new home of Cobalt’s drag opening in 1998 and has been Since the 70s, the city’s pageants have grown show. As Monday night’s Diva Las ever-willing to experiment. The with the emergence of club titles and city-wide Vegas show, the Cobalt troupe took club was the first to offer regu- a new identity and provided a sec- titles. Washington, DC has contributed three larly scheduled drag king shows ond Dupont home for those begin- national title holders to the Miss Gay America and has been one of the longest ning drag performance careers. The system: Maya Montana, Linda Carrero, and running venues for the Latino Gigi Couture, 1999 popular show was led for many courtesy Jan Knode Sabrina White. Miss Gay America, Miss Black drag scene. Its Saturday evening Dominique Foxx years by ‘sex kitten’ JC van Raine drag shows are standing-room only. Show America, Miss Universo Latino, Miss USofA, courtesy Mama Foxx and Dominique Foxx. hostesses have included Jordan Taylor, the Two and Miss Continental have preliminaries here. Tons of Fun: Lena Lett and Leona Hemsley, There is diversity in our titles as well. African- 5. 1415 22nd St NW - BADLANDS/APEX - Though not a drag performance club, Badlands hosted a num- Ester Goldberg, Xavier Bloomingdale, Regina American and Joezette, and Gigi Couture. Latino pageant ber of drag pageants, most regularly the annual Miss Capital Pride contest. Badlands opened in the early systems have 8. 1529 17th St NW - JR’S - JR’s is noted 80s and was run for several years by Don Gilliken, emerged here. for originating the annual Halloween high heel courtesy www.missgayamerica.com and a.k.a. Sophie Tucker, a member of the Awards Club. drag races. Twenty-five contestants entered the www.missgaydc.com Most pageants are Badlands changed its name to Apex in 2002. The Miss judged and award contestants points for talent, first high heel drag race held outside JR’s on Gay DC America pageant recently moved to Apex. Halloween 1986. The midnight dash went one evening gown, interview, and other categories. and a half blocks to Annie’s where the racers ran In 2000, 37 drag pageants were held in 6. 2147 P St Nw - Mr. P’s - For decades, the tiny stage in Mr. P’s inner room served as one of Dupont’s upstairs for a shot of schnapps, then down the Washington, DC. stairs and back down the street to JR’s. Clinton Winter won the race and a bottle of champagne.

9. 1846 Monroe St NW - HOLLYWOOD HOUSE the restrooms and bar at The Barn. Lainie - One of the homes of Liz Taylor, founder of the Kazan, of the Academy, directed shows which Academies, Hollywood House became a regular mier venues for featured Marlo Thomas, Susan St. James, Gwen salon for female impersonators associated with African-American Alexander, and Tina Santana. Diva Ella Taylor and, later, the Academy. Taylor subsequently female impersonators. Fitzgerald performed here from 1980 to 1983. formed Butterfield 8, his own drag house among the Among leading per- From 1973, the Academy met at Oscar’s Eye Academy’s houses. formers here were (named by Fanny Brice) on the third floor. Barbara MacNair, 10. 2504 14th St NW - GOLDEN NUGGET - whose Moms Mabley 19. 500 8th St SE - Destroyed by fire in April 1968, Rosetta Minor’s Barbara Macnair at the Brass Rail impersonation and fire JOHNNIE’S/CLUB MADAME/ ‘Black’ Nugget, as the club was known, was a haven courtesy of Andre Lindsay dances were very popu- BACHELOR’S MILL - Since for African-American female impersonators and the lar. The Railettes, the club’s troupe of drag performers 1949, this building has transgendered. Though rough and wild at times, it performed all around the city. The club moved to 5th & been one gay-oriented club was one of the few welcoming places for drag and K St. NW in 1983. after another. As Johnnie’s transgendered youth. (1949 - 1974), it held 15. 1215 New York Ave NW - DOLLY’S -Dolly’s monthly Zodiac drag con- 11. 3316 14th St NW - BOB’S INN - A popular was a major part of the gay and drag scene around the tests. Johnnie’s, known as 60s venue for rock and roll, the club also featured bus terminals east of Franklin Sq. The club employed the Tinsel Palace, was dec- drag shows. Shows were headlined by Dunbar grad- staff in drag and featured local stars such as Barbara orated for Christmas year uate Avis Pend’avis and Peaches. Avis moved to MacNair. An August 1975 Washingtonian article chron- Dana Terrell courtesy Andre Lindsay round. Johnnie’s drag New York City and founded the House of Pend’avis. icled the scene at Dolly’s. The bartender was Rhonda events were run by Ray The club was destroyed by fire in April 1968. Ray and the bouncer was Alicia B. Gay, both drag ‘Ramona’ Violette. In 1974, BB Gatch and her queens. mother Louisette, opened a women’s club, Club 12. 1101 Kenyon St NW - NOB HILL - Nob Madame, which featured weekend drag shows. Hill’s drag shows featured many of 16. 1628 L St NW - REDSKIN LOUNGE - Through In 1978, the club, still owned by BB, became a the city’s leading African- the mid-50s, the Redskin Lounge was a mixed lesbian gay male-oriented club The Bachelor’s Mill American female impersonators and gay male hangout. Redskin’s featured occasional which featuring prominent drag artists including over the years. Adrienne drag performers, including nationally known female Dana Terrell. In 1984 The Bachelor’s Mill Blackwell performed and led impersonator Ray Bourbon. moved down the street to 1104 8t St SE. At the shows here through the 1990s. new location, the Mill continued to offer a stage Other noted performers have been 17. 1239 9th St NW - for African-American drag entertainers such as Stevi Starfire, Terri Lee Ross, FANTASIES - The club only Lady Tawana, Tina Tuna Adams, Arcadia Dominique Foxx, Arcadia lasted about a year and a half Alexander, and Tanelle Sanchez, as well as a site Alexander, Gucci Blackwell, Lady in the mid-80s but featured for drag pageants. Lace, and Regina Joezette. Drag Adrienne extravagant drag shows and shows ran Thursday through courtesy Jan Knode memorable parties. Shows featured Kim Novak, Brandy Dover, and Lala Maharis. 20. 529 8th St SE - PLUS ONE - One of the Sunday. first major gay disco bars, the Plus One (1968 - 1975) also featured drag shows. Ella Fitzgerald 13. 4211 9th St NW - PALM BALLROOM - In 18. 811 Pennsylvania Ave NW/309 9th St NW - started out at the Plus One in the mid-70s, where the 60s and 70s, the Palm Ballroom provided a THE BARN, OSCAR’S EYE & THE ROGUE - The com- an early performance name was Fanny Brice. venue for drag fashion and drag balls, African- plex at this location, a stack of gay clubs from the mid- She recalls auditioning on a Tuesday, performing American social clubs and was also used by the 60s, became notable for its drag connections in the 70s. “Touch Me in the Morning”. Awards Club. During segregation, the Palm and the The Hideaway was in the basement. Louie’s (opened Cairo Hotel welcomed African-Americans. 1965) was on the ground floor. Above Louie’s was The Barn (1971-1979), a country-western club which fea- 21. 713 8th St SE - SHERIDAN’S - From 1999, Sandy Thompson’s country-western club 14. 811-13 13th St NW - THE BRASS RAIL - In tured the Stardust Review drag show. Above Louie’s offered midweek drag bingo nights and weekend the 70s and 80s, the Brass Rail was one of the pre- dining room, next to the Barn, was The Rogue, one of DC’s principal drag bars from 1975 to 1983 (when it moved to 5th & K NW). Customers at The Rogue used

Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

drag event of the of event drag the was It Hilton. Washington the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

, emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black a.k.a. White, Ken Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou Gay

/CLUB 55 - DC Tou Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993.

Academy established its separate its established Academy courtesy Patsy Lynch Patsy courtesy

Beulah Buskirk, 2004 Buskirk, Beulah America pageant. In 1986, the 1986, In pageant. America equally diverse in their styles and music with music and styles their in diverse equally

took it over as the Miss Gaye Miss the as over it took offer a mix of all backgrounds. Performers are Performers backgrounds. all of mix a offer

the St. James, and many others. many and James, St. the leading female impersonators, female leading white. The ethnic circuits overlap where clubs where overlap circuits ethnic The white.

Kazans, the Maharises, the O’Haras, the Santanas, the O’Haras, the Maharises, the Kazans, , one of Washington’s of one , Buskirk cuits: African-American, Latino, Asian, and Asian, Latino, African-American, cuits:

the Dennises, the Devereaux, the Kanes, the Kanes, the Devereaux, the Dennises, the Beulah a.k.a. Buskirk, Jerry Today’s club scene offers distinct ethnic cir- ethnic distinct offers scene club Today’s

include the Bloomingdales, the Blues, the Carreros, the Blues, the Bloomingdales, the include first city-wide pageant. In 1964 In pageant. city-wide first beyond the gay community. gay the beyond

eages as well. Well-known DC drag families drag DC Well-known well. as eages started a Masquerade Ball, the Ball, Masquerade a started sional drag performances to an audience far audience an to performances drag sional

of them trainees of the Academy) created club lin- club created Academy) the of trainees them of In the fall of 1961, Bill Frye Bill 1961, of fall the In Brice and her Henry Street house brought profes- brought house Street Henry her and Brice

trees. In later years, headliners in the clubs (many clubs the in headliners years, later In trees. Actor, to Taylor’s group. Taylor’s to Actor, Showstoppers productions produced by Fanny by produced productions Showstoppers

their surname, creating drag lineages and family and lineages drag creating surname, their oldest and top titles, such as Best Actress and Actress Best as such titles, top and oldest across the city. The annual The city. the across

Trainees often adopted the drag mother’s name as name mother’s drag the adopted often Trainees courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy queens. The contemporary Academy traces its traces Academy contemporary The queens. trained newcomers in clubs in newcomers trained

Mame Dennis , 1975 , Dennis Mame

Kim Novak led Paramount Plaza. Plaza. Paramount led Novak Kim standards for the city’s often ostracized drag ostracized often city’s the for standards members hosted shows and shows hosted members

Patty Duke led Maryland House; and and House; Maryland led Duke Patty safe haven, performance sites, mentoring, and mentoring, sites, performance haven, safe drag houses and Academy and houses drag

Fanny Brice led Henry Street; Street; Henry led Brice Fanny scheduled annual drag awards and provided a provided and awards drag annual scheduled has had as many as twelve as many as had has

Beulah Buskirk led Family Affair; Family led Buskirk Beulah San Francisco, Kress organized the first regularly first the organized Kress Francisco, San the 1970s. The Academy The 1970s. the

Liz Taylor led Butterfield 8; 8; Butterfield led Taylor Liz Imperial House system in system House Imperial for female impersonators in impersonators female for

courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame Dennis led Beekman Place; Place; Beekman led Dennis Mame Liz Taylor, 1985 Taylor, Liz José Saria created the created Saria José shows and public visibility public and shows

. Drag mothers formed ‘houses’: formed mothers Drag . Brice Fanny a.k.a. drag.” Four years before years Four drag.” major expansion in club in expansion major

, and Alex Carlino, Alex and , Dennis

would center around center would ed by Mame Dennis, led a led Dennis, Mame by ed courtesy Carl Rizzi Carl courtesy

Mame a.k.a. Rizzi, Carl Fanny Brice Fanny people whose social life social whose people The new Academy, head- Academy, new The

in the mid-60s included mid-60s the in “mold an elite group of group elite an “mold members of Liz Taylor’s group. group. Taylor’s Liz of members

illusion. Emerging leaders Emerging illusion. , wanted to wanted , Taylor Liz Henry Street and Beekman Place houses with houses Place Beekman and Street Henry

wanting to learn the art of art the learn to wanting 1961, Alan Kress, a.k.a. Kress, Alan 1961, ation of The Academy, a reconciliation of the of reconciliation a Academy, The of ation

became ‘mothers’ to those to ‘mothers’ became In the late summer of summer late the In In 1973, club owner Bill Oates Jr. brokered cre- brokered Jr. Oates Bill owner club 1973, In

as leading drag artists drag leading as organization. organization. also new training grounds. grounds. training new also

system emerged in the 60s the in emerged system Washington’s first (1961) social and support and social (1961) first Washington’s only more chances to perform and earn tips but tips earn and perform to chances more only

The modern drag training drag modern The club shows and the Washington Academy, gay Academy, Washington the and shows club formers, the explosion in drag clubs offered not offered clubs drag in explosion the formers,

year. Today drag performance in the city centers on centers city the in performance drag Today ed their own costumes, sets, and music). For per- For music). and sets, costumes, own their ed

drag event of the of event drag the was It Hilton. Washington the Edna, RuPaul and others followed. followed. others and RuPaul Edna, which were cheap to present (performers provid- (performers present to cheap were which

Pearl staged the Black Pearl International Awards at Awards International Pearl Black the staged Pearl Pend’avis. National stars Craig Russell, Dame Russell, Craig stars National Pend’avis. owners saw audiences and profits in drag shows drag in profits and audiences saw owners

major hotels’ ban on drag. In February 1968, Black 1968, February In drag. on ban hotels’ major featured impersonators Peaches and Avis and Peaches impersonators featured As the gay community emerged in the 70s, club 70s, the in emerged community gay the As

White’s greatest achievement was to break the break to was achievement greatest White’s Bob’s Inn, across from the Tivoli in the late 60s, late the in Tivoli the from across Inn, Bob’s of the group rather than by judges. by than rather group the of

African-American drag performers. performers. drag African-American Laviere to local audiences in the 50s and 60s. and 50s the in audiences local to Laviere pageant in 1965, with winners selected by leaders by selected winners with 1965, in pageant

Palm Ballroom, providing opportunities for fellow for opportunities providing Ballroom, Palm Lynne Carter and male impersonator Stormé de Stormé impersonator male and Carter Lynne Taylor’s group started the Miss Gaye Universe Gaye Miss the started group Taylor’s

Potomac and drag balls at the Cairo Hotel and the and Hotel Cairo the at balls drag and Potomac Casino Royale and the Dunbar theaters bringing theaters Dunbar the and Royale Casino annual Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant. (DC) America Gaye Miss annual

60s. Black Pearl organized drag cruises on the on cruises drag organized Pearl Black 60s. the mid-50s. The Jewel Box Review played the played Review Box Jewel The mid-50s. the awarding the Emmy to its winners and staged the staged and winners its to Emmy the awarding

ing African-American drag impresario in the late the in impresario drag African-American ing L St. featured the irrepressible Ray Bourbon in Bourbon Ray irrepressible the featured St. L The Awards Club mounted its own contests, own its mounted Club Awards The

, emerged as a lead- a as emerged , Pearl Black a.k.a. White, Ken Redskin Lounge (nicknamed ’The Foreskin’) on Foreskin’) ’The (nicknamed Lounge Redskin the rival Awards Club (which lasted until 1988). until lasted (which Club Awards rival the

their social events. events. social their Magnificent” Diggs in the 40s and 50s. The 50s. and 40s the in Diggs Magnificent” group and joined with Beulah Buskirk to form to Buskirk Beulah with joined and group

Performers depended on rented private spaces for spaces private rented on depended Performers featured top local performers such as Louis “The Louis as such performers local top featured Place and Fanny Brice’s Henry Street left the left Street Henry Brice’s Fanny and Place

American drag artists in a segregated social scene. social segregated a in artists drag American sionists. The Crystal (later Bohemian) Caverns Bohemian) (later Crystal The sionists. ru ntemd6s aeDni’Beekman Dennis’ Mame mid-60s. the in group

Opportunities were more limited for African- for limited more were Opportunities Washington has long featured professional illu- professional featured long has Washington An acrimonious split hit Kress’s Academies Kress’s hit split acrimonious An

with points awarded in a variety of categories. of variety a in awarded points with members-only Miss Gaye America (DC) pageant, (DC) America Gaye Miss members-only

is a 25. 1345 Half St SE - OTHERSIDE/ ZIEGFELD’S - city drag shows hosted by Jymmye Jaymes, Terrie Since 1978, this address has been the top spot for drag DC Santana, and others. The club also hosted several in DC. The Other Side, a women’s bar that opened in of drag queens pageants including Miss Capitol City. 1978, brought regularly scheduled drag shows here. Ella and kings. Fitzgerald, demanding shaper of shows and talents, “Talk to the drag 22. 639 Pennsylvania Ave SE - started here on July 4, 1980. Ziegfeld’s, a landmark in queen!” says drag LIFERAFT/ EQUUS/REMINGTON’S - DC’s drag performance scene, opened in March 1988, D diva Ella Fitzgerald at Ziegfeld’s, The site has a long history as a with Ella Fitzgerald managing the shows. Ziegfeld’s country-western gay bar featuring draws large audiences of all genders and orientations to and people do. And she reminds drag performances. In the early 70s, its popular weekend shows, where Ella tells guests to R them, “It’s all an illusion!” They the Liferaft presented Billie Gold’s “talk to the drag queen.” The club serves also as one of come for the revue show. Remington’s, which the city’s main pageant sites. illusion, the opened in 1987, has consistently art of imper- Courtney Lovelace 26. 555 S 23rd St, courtesy Sam presented drag shows with a country - A sonation. Marsh western flavor. Headliners here Crystal City, VA - They come included Jymmye Jaymes, Blair Michaels, Vita FREDDIE’S - Freddie’s

s for the cos- defines Northern Virginia’s s Opulence, and Courtney Lovelace. Events at tumes, and r Remington’s have solidified drag’s association with drag scene, especially r G they stay for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo. country-western style drag performances. Academy the wit and 23. 1129 Pennsylvania Ave SE - ELAN/ members Jymmye Jaymes Ella at Ziegfeld's the bitchy ARDIENTE - A lesbian bar in the late 90s, Elan fea- and Destiny B Childs host courtesy Donnell Robinson banter. tured midweek drag shows hosted by Courtney popular Sunday evening Enthusiastic audiences have sup- Lovelace and Michelle Michaels. Beginning in 2000, shows as well as charity ported drag performers here for the Carrero sisters, Linda and Sophia, offered Latino Destiny, Jymmye & guest benefits. Freddie’s drag decades with their tips and applause. courtesy Cheryl Spector drag performers a performance site late Saturday shows often play to stand- I Aspiring newcomers, eager to learn night in the ground floor restaurant area. ing-room-only audiences. The club is heir to earlier drag the art of impersonation, streamed shows at the Hunt Club in Alexandria. 24. 55 here from drag’s earliest days. K St SE - N By the late 1990s, DC clubs WAAAY offered more than 40 scheduled OFF weekly drag shows, more than any BROADWAY city other than Dallas or Atlanta. Gay DC Tou Gay

/CLUB 55 - DC Tou Gay Crowds packed in on the weekends The theatre THE RAINBOW HISTORY PROJECT at Ziegfeld’s, Mondays at Omega, space man- collects, preserves and promotes Tuesdays and Sundays at Mr. P’s, aged by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Wednesdays at the Bachelor’s Mill, Jesse history of metropolitan Washington, DC. D Fridays at Escandalo and Saturdays Kinison Donate to: and owned courtesy Carl Rizzi Rainbow History Project at Chaos, Remington’s and Nob by Donn Culver of the Lost and Found was closely P.O. Box 11013 Hill. Annual club and city-wide drag involved with the drag community. The board of the Washington, DC 20008 C pageants for titles such as Miss 202.907.9007 theatre included the heads of major DC drag houses. Ziegfeld’s, Miss Chaos, Miss [email protected] Capital Pride, Miss Gay DC The theatre opened with Cabaret featuring Lainie www.rainbowhistory.org Kazan, directed by Mame Dennis. Academy events Design by Gina M. Farthing America, Miss Metropolitan, and were held here until 1973 when Academy events Text & layout by Mark Meinke others fill out the schedule. © Rainbow History Project 2005 moved to Oscar’s Eye (see no.18). For several years, this was the gay theatre in DC. The site later became Club 55, to which Academy events returned in 1993.